Japan is to become the first country to allow broadcasters and other firms to share satellite frequency bands, possibly from next spring, the Ministry of Posts & Telecommunications announced: the new provision will help to halve transponder fees and stimulate the use of satellite communications among firms which do not directly use such modes of communication; trading company Itochu Corp’s affiliate Omni Tracs Corp and a business partner will apply to the Ministry to share a transponder owned by Japan Satellite Systems Inc; Omni Tracs, owned 38.6% by Itochu, 20% by Cable & Wireless Plc, plans to use satellite communications to assist delivery service companies’ operating control systems and provide them with navigation services.
